Propelling-wheel



(No Model.)

B, B. POWELL.

, PROPELLING WHEEL. No. 286,149. Patented Oct. 2, 1883.

INVENTOR.

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-AT TO RNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN B. POXVELL, OF PETOSKEY, MICHIGAN.

PROPELLING-VVHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 286,149, dated October 2, 1883. Application filed February 3,1883. No model.)

To all whom, it may concern: Be it known that I, BENJAMIN B. POWELL, of Petoskey, in the county of Emmett and State ofllfichigamhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Propelling-Wheels; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawin gs, which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a side view of my improved propel ling-wheel. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same, and Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My invention has relation to devices for propelling boats, traction-engines, or other similarpurposes; and it consists in the improved construction and combination of parts of a de- .vice having an endless propelling-apron carried over wheels, as will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, the letters A A indicate four wheels journaled in pairs, two at each end of a frame, B. The rims of these wheels have transverse grooves 0, adapted to receive the inner rounded part of the crosspieces D of the endless apron E. These crosspieces are fastened upon endless cables F, and consist of two pieces, thc'inner rounded piece, G, and the outer piece, H, which, if the device is to be used for propulsion in water, are provided with wings I, or, if intended for use on land, may be round or flat, as desired. The inner meeting surfaces of the two halves are grooved at J to admit the cables, which they clamp, and the two parts are held together by screw-bolts K.

When the device is used on the water, the cross-pieces may be made hollow or of buoyant material, so that the apron, in case of an accident, may be detached and form a life-raf t. The cross-pieces are provided with two projections, L, at each end, between which the wheels run, serving to guide the apron and keep it from slipping off, and keep the cross-pieces apart. The power is connected to the one set of wheels, while the journals M of the other set may be sliding adjustably in the other end of the frame, so that slack in the apron may be taken up. To furthermore take up slack in the apron, one or two sets of guide-wheels, N, may be fastened to the frames, having grooved rims in the same manner as the larger wheels, and having bearings sliding in ways 0 and bearing against springs P, which serve to keep the guide-wheels down, tightening the apron.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States The combination of the wheels A A, having grooves G in their rims, endless apron E, consisting of the cross-pieces D, having guidelugs L and clamping the cables, and the cables F, and the guide-wheels N, having transverselygrooved rims, and journaled in bearings sliding in ways 0, bearing against springs 1, substantially as and for the purpose shown and set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN B. POWELL.

WVitnesses:

F. W. Connnr, GEORGE M. SHIRK. 

